Life is simple beauty
C Li Hua is asking his grandpa about life in the past. Read their conversation and answer the questions.
Li Hua: Grandpa, what was life like when you were young?
Grandpa: Life was much simpler, but not easy.
Li Hua: Was life harder back then?
Grandpa: In some ways, yes. We didn’t have air conditioners, washing machines or other electrical devices. There was no online shopping or fast delivery either. But a good life is not based on the things we have. It’s about the memories we treasure.
Li Hua: Can you share some of your memories with me?
Grandpa: Of course. When I was young, we hardly had any sugar. My mother would collect certain flowers, dry them and make sweet powder (粉). Then she used it to make rice cakes. It took a long time, but it was natural and very special.
Li Hua: It must taste wonderful too. Did you have many toys?
Grandpa: I had some toys, but not like the ones you have. We made them ourselves, such as paper windmills and bamboo dragonflies. We also created fun games ourselves. Sometimes friends were all you needed to have fun.
Li Hua: That sounds cool. What else did you do for fun?
Grandpa: There was no TV to watch. I used to love catching fireflies in the summer evenings. And in winter, my family and I would build a small fire and roast sweet potatoes under the stars. Spending time with family was always wonderful.
Li Hua: It sounds like a simple but very happy time.
Grandpa: It was. It’s important to remember that happiness comes from simple moments with family and friends.
1 Why does Grandpa say life was harder back then?
2 According to Grandpa, what is a good life really about?
3 What did Grandpa and his friends do for fun?
4 What did Grandpa do in the summer evenings?
5 Do you think Grandpa misses life in the past? Why or why not?
